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The former clinical director at Maple Leaf Treatment Center says allegations that he created hostile work and treatment environments at the now-defunct facility should be dismissed, according to new documents.

Dr. Charles Sprague Simonds' psychology license is on the line as a result of these allegations brought by the Office of Professional Regulation through the Secretary of State's Office. Eleven allegations were brought in early November.

A response, filed by Simonds through his lawyer Rich Cassidy this week, states that the accusations of intimidating or aggressive behavior, sexual harassment, and unsafe or unacceptable patient care are false.

The document lists several legal defenses for Simonds. The first calls the charges "vague, general, numerous and lacking in specificity." The document states that Simonds would be unable to defend against them without further specificity of dates, circumstances, persons and events.

The document also states that the state of Vermont, through its Adult Protective Services division of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, already investigated these charges to the extent that they related to clients at the facility. The state "determined that they are without merit."

"The Respondent should not be required to defend them again," the document states.

Simonds served as clinical director at the inpatient facility in Underhill from May 2016 until the facility unexpectedly closed in February. Maple Leaf Treatment Center also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy earlier this year. It was accused last month of overbilling the state's Medicaid program by $860,000 in one of 49 claims against the estate.

Maple Leaf had served as one of three residential treatment centers in the state for opiate addiction. It also operated an an outpatient center in Colchester which was also closed.

Simonds had been hired in late October by the state as clinical chief Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center. He was fired Nov. 15. The Department for Children and Families has declined to discuss Simonds' termination.

A hearing to determine whether Simonds should keep his license to practice psychology has not yet been scheduled before the Board of Psychological Examiners, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters said. According to the documents, Simonds' license is scheduled to expire on Jan. 31, 2018.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.